As big fans of the Caribbean, we are torn on whether to make a quick getaway to Florida.

We are debating either Seaside or the Siesta Key/Anna Maria area. We are serious beach-lovers, and the big question: Is the water at any Florida beach blue, true turquoise blue like the Caribbean?

We have visited Clearwater/Sanibel/Ft. Lauderdale and other beaches. The Ft. Lauderdale/Miami beaches seem to have the closest color to the Caribbean. We really do not care for the Clearwater/Sanibel water color.

We are debating a visit to Seaside or the Siesta Key/Anna Maria area. Do either of these areas truly have Caribbean blue waters?

Thanks!

If your getaway is soon, the Florida water is not very warm yet. Maybe getaway to somewhere close in the Caribbean, like the VI or Jamaica.

In a word, NO...the closest color to the Caribbean waters is in the Florida keys, but even that does not match. Our favorite beaches in Florida are Miami/Ft Lauderdale. It is still a wonderful getaway!

I also agree with the Miami/Ft Lauderdale area. Although to me nothing compares with the Carribbean, the waters of the Miami Beach area sure do come close. It's also one of our favorites.

I think you will not be happy in Florida and I suggest you go to the Caribbean. There are already too many unhappy tourists in Florida. And whatever you do, don't move to Florida. Please. We get tired of being compared to other places. Things are the way they are here, and definitely the color of the water will not change. That has to do with the depth of the water and the haze in the sky and many other things. Water is water.

Tandoori Girl; LOL...and too true!

I think that the beach at Siesta Key is similiar to the Caribbean. The sand is a beautiful soft white cool sand and the water has that blue/green look to it. The sand is the nicest I have seen in Florida. I haven't been to Ft. Lauderdale in many years, but don't recall it being Caribbeanlike.

We love Hawaii and the Caribbean but for a quick trip, Seaside and all the beach towns on 30A have the best sand and most Caribbean-like water that we have seen in the continental U.S. The season there is short. May would be beautiful--we usually go in October when rates are reduced (hurricane season). Been lucky so far.

Just walked by the beach yesterday here in FLL and the water looked pretty "Caribbean like" to me..shades of blue deepeneing to a deep navy, how's that?!

People crack me up. The water in Florida is the same water that is in the caribbean.

Hollywood Florida has the prettiest beach IMHO (honest, not humble)

You really cannot compare Florida to any caribbean beach, as all caribbean beaches vary greatly from one island to another. Which island are you comparing Florida to? Florida is beautiful on it's own. If you are looking for turquoise blue water and sugar white sand then I would recommend you go to Anguilla, The Bahamas or Turks and Caicos.

I would look for a destination in Florida that gives you a tropical atmosphere. Take a look at Little Palm Island for a caribbean in florida vacation.

While the color isn't the same, the width and length of the Gulf Coast beaches are more than a trade off for me. I'd rather walk for miles and miles and miles...something you can't do in the Carribean.

I second the vote for Seaside and the gulf coast.